CITY West Falcons showed their steel, coming from behind at three-quarter-time to beat the experienced Boroondara Genesis in the Victorian Netball League at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday.
The Falcons have had to tough it out in the opening two games of their title defence and will be a relieved bunch heading into this weekend’s break with an unblemished record.
“They’ve been very tough games. We’ve played two good teams and it’s been hard work,” Falcons coach Marg Lind told the Weekly.
“Going into the break, you don’t want to be 1-1. Being 2-0 takes a little bit of the pressure off. It’s a nice feeling and good for our confidence.”
The Falcons have stretched their winning run to an incredible 13, a number that includes last year’s finals run.
“I wasn’t even aware,” Lind said. “I don’t really try to think about that, but it sounds good. It’s lucky 13.”
The Falcons had an element of luck attached to the win.
“It was goal for goal for most of the game,” Lind said. “It wasn’t won till the last quarter.”
The Falcons’ coaching staff had a bit of shuffling to do as the team trailed by three goals entering the last quarter.
Their attack in the third term was almost non-existent.
Only six shots were attempted by the Falcons; thankfully all landed. We had a poor quarter,” Lind said. “We couldn’t penetrate the circle.”
Julia Knott and Maggie Lind were ordered to stay closer to the attacking circle. The running goalers had been getting lost up the court.
Moves were made to replace the tiring Christie Barnes in the mid-court where she had given former Vixen Wendy Jacobsen the run-around.
“A little bit of size in the mid-court with Liz Watson and Clare Moylan as centre and wing attack — it just added a bit more height and meant Maggie and Jules didn’t have to come out so far and handle the ball,” Lind said. “We went from six shots in the third to 18 in the last — a big turnaround.”
Meanwhile, the VU-Western Lightning lost 46-35 to the Peninsula Waves.
Lightning goalers Megan Fitzpatrick (14-from-22) and Erin McCarthy (7-from-13) struggled to find their range.
After a week’s break, it will be the much-anticipated grand final rematch between the Falcons and the Lightning at SNHC on March 20.
